Orchid Project is a leader in addressing the issue of FGC worldwide, through their local and international advocacy work and their social norms based approach in grassroots programming. To advance the knowledge-base of the sector - and to lead to investment with even greater impact – they sought a research partner to help them answer the following question: Where (in which next country or ethnic group) in Africa will investment achieve the greatest acceleration of abandonment of female genital cutting (FGC)?

Orchid Project has consequently contracted hera. While Orchid recognises the importance of ending FGC globally and particularly in the Middle East and Asia, this research concentrated on accelerating abandonment, and prioritises African countries. In particular, Orchid Project was interested to know where, with whom and how potential future investment in Africa can best be allocated.